I think it’s my favourite place in Oz so far. I’ve been fortunate enough to have fantastic friends driving me around and showing me all the best spots. It’s that bit more laid back than the cities on the East Coast, and the coastline is stunning. The climate is pleasant and most of the activities here are based around the water and being out and about in the sunshine.

Here are my top 5 things to do in Perth:

 1. Take a trip to Rottnest Island

Rottnest Island lies 19km off the coast of Fremantle and is inhabited by ‘quokkas’ which look like a cross between kangaroos and rats. Take the ferry over, or if you have a friend with a boat, then even better. The island is great for snorkeling, fishing, diving and cycling and there’s a great pub called the Rottnest Hotel (previously “The Quokka Arms”).

2. Have chilli mussels at Little Creatures Brewery in Fremantle

Little Creatures Brewery is a really cool pub in Fremantle that’s set inside a massive converted boat shed on the water. It’s a modern brewery and restaurant that serves some great beer and the best chilli mussels I’ve ever tasted. It’s packed on a weekend and plays pumping music too, so it has a really fun vibe.

3. Admire the view from Kings Park

Sitting on Mount Eliza on the edge of the Central Business District, Kings Park is one of the largest inner city parks in the worldm covering 4.06 square km. It offers some incredible views of Perth and the Swan River, and is just a great place to relax and escape the bustle of the city.

4. Have a swim at Cottesloe Beach

Cottesloe Beach is a really nice sandy beach and perfect for a swim at the end of the day. Spend the day sunbathing on the sand and swimming in the ocean, then watch the beautiful sunset before popping into the Ocean Beach Hotel for a beer. Known as the “OBH”, this pub gets really busy on a Sunday when everyone goes there for a Sunday Session.

5. Experience a Sunday Session

Australia is all about ‘Sunday Sessions’, and nowhere does a Sunday Session quite like Perth. Basically on a Sunday afternoon, everyone goes to the pub and has a few drinks with their mates before going to work on the Monday. Sunday sessions usually take place in beer gardens overlooking the ocean or the Swan River, with DJs pumping out tunes into the evening. A typical Sunday session starts in the early afternoon and goes on till about 10pm, and popular places to go are the OBH, The Windsor, Cottesloe Hotel, The Grosvenor and Leederville.

cottesloe beach photo by SmoothDragon on flickr

But Britain has some great cities that are rich in history and full of interesting landmarks, and here are 5 of my favourite city breaks in Britain:

1. London

By far the most popular city to visit is the UK’s capital, London. Tourists arrive in their droves to see big red buses, black taxi cabs and bright red phone boxes. The Big Smoke has plenty of sights to keep you occupied for days- stare through the gates of Buckingham Palace, take a ride on the London Eye, gaze up at Big Ben and take a tour through the Tower of London. And with the London Olympics coming up, it will be the perfect opportunity to check out holiday apartments London and experience the buzz of the greatest sporting event in the world.

2. Edinburgh

As the capital of Scotland and the seat of the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh is rich in history and boasts some iconic landmarks, including Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat. The city is famous for its four-day Hogmanay celebration at New Year, and is definitely one of the best places in the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve. In August the city is jam-packed with visitors for the Edinburgh Fringe, an annual arts festival featuring comedy, drama and musical performances. During these periods it’s worth looking at Holiday cottages Scotland in advance as things get booked up quickly.

3. Cambridge

Famous for its university, Cambridge is a picturesque city full of colleges that have produced some of the greatest minds in history. The city has plenty of bridges, medieval buildings, gardens, courtyards, galleries, shops and cafés and most people seem to get around by bicycle. In the summer months, make sure you enjoy the sunshine and go punting along the River Cam. A ‘punt’ is a bit like a flat gondola that you push along the river with a giant pole, although it isn’t easy, so you may wish to hire a chauffeured punt!

4. Brighton

The seaside town of Brighton is just an hour away from London and a great place for a day trip or weekend getaway. You can dip your toes in the water, walk along the famous pebble beach, enjoy some fish and chips, and take a photo of the famous Victorian pier. Also worth a visit is the Royal Pavilion- an opulent seaside home that was remodelled in Indian style by John Nash 1815-1823 for George, Prince Regent and later George IV. Brighton is also an incredibly trendy city, with great shopping, nightlife and festivals.

5. Bath

Located in Somerset in the South-West of England, the whole City of Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As its name suggests, the spa town is famous for its Roman Baths, where you can still try a glass of spa water from the fountain. Or for the ultimate spa experience, enjoying a day of pampering at the modern Thermae Bath Spa, Britain’s only natural thermal spa. The city also has some incredible Georgian architecture, including the Royal Crescent- a road of 30 residential houses in the shape of a crescent. Bath was also the home of author Jane Austen, and a visit to the Jane Austen Centre gives you an insight into how the city influenced her novels.

photos by Anirudh Koul, DecoByDesign, Jonathan Herbert, Andreas-photography and Nathan Wind as Cochese on flickr

I love the beach and I’ve spent much of my adult life trying to avoid the cold, so the Caribbean islands always have a certain allure. The Caribbean is the epitome of relaxation, and according to the movies, it’s where everyone goes to run away and drink pina coladas in cognito. Not a bad idea at all.

If you’re longing for powder white beaches with swaying palms and turquoise waters, then you’re in luck, because the Caribbean has an abundance of paradise islands that fit the bill. However, with over 7,000 different islands, islets, reefs and cays, it can prove to be quite tricky to choose a Caribbean island to park your towel on. One way to do it is to take a Caribbean cruise so you can see a number of different islands all at once. The Caribbean doesn’t have to be just for honeymooners either, so if you’re traveling with kids, there are always family cruises to ensure fun for the whole family.

Whatever your traveling style though, here are 10 Caribbean Islands to inspire you:

1. Jamaica

Jamaicans tend to be heavily stereotyped, but undoubtedly one of the appealing things about Jamaica is its unique African influence, laid-back reputation and that brilliant accent. The island produces some fantastic rum and coffee, but its most famous export is the legendary Bob Marley.

2. Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands comprises three islands named Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is a popular attraction, and all three islands are a great for snorkeling and scuba diving. A popular activity is swimming with stingrays at Stingray City,  a series of shallow sandbars inhabited by lots of southern stingrays.

3. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan is one of the best preserved colonial cities in the Americas, and it’s most certainly worth spending a few days exploring the city’s streets and architecture. Puerto Rico is also one of the best surf spots in the world, and Rincon is the centre of the island’s surf scene.

4. British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands is a British territory just east of the U.S Virgin Islands, with the main islands being Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada and Jost Van Dyke. However, perhaps the most talked about British Virgin Island is Necker, the super exclusive private island owned by Sir Richard Branson.  The BVIs are particularly known for their excellent yachting and are a popular destination for sailing vacations.

5. St. Maarten/St. Martin

Known as Sint Maarten or St. Martin depending on which country you’re from, this island is shared between the Dutch and the French, making it the smallest island in the world to be split between two nations. As a result, each side of the island has a very distinct personality from the other. St. Martin is a major yachting island, and the Simpson Bay Lagoon is ideal for sailing.

6. St. Lucia

The volcanic island of St. Lucia has some stunning mountain scenery and lush landscapes. Adventurous types can explore the island by foot, mountain bike, or jeep, or if you’d rather laze on the beach, St. Lucia has plenty of those too. St. Lucia’s most famous landmark is the majestic Twin Piton Mountains, and the island is one of only a few in the world to boast a drive-in volcano. Other highlights include the Botanical Gardens and Fort Rodney, an old British military base located within the Pigeon Island National Landmark.

7. Grenada

Having been invaded by the U.S in the 1980s after it was seized by a Marxist military group, and destroyed by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Grenada has had a troubled past but things are back on track. Known as the ‘Spice Isle’ for its nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon and cocoa, Grenada is made up of three islands- Grenada Isle, Carriacou and Petit Martinique. Granada Island has a lush, mountainous interior with beautiful waterfalls and rivers, and its capital, St. George’s has a beautiful horseshoe-shaped harbour- one of the most picturesque in the Caribbean.

8. Aruba

Aruba, together with Bonaire and Curacao, forms part of the ABC group of islands in the Netherlands Antilles. This Dutch island has a very interesting and unique landscape for the Caribbean- the south and west coasts boast palm-fringed white beaches, whilst the interior is desert-like and dotted with cacti, divi-divi trees, rock formations and abandoned gold mines. The port of Oranjestaad features colonial pastel-coloured buildings and is good for duty-free shopping.

9. Barbados

Barbados is one of the most well-known and popular islands in the Caribbean and it’s not difficult to understand why. With azure waters and paradise-white beaches, Barbados offers the ideal escape for those wishing to escape bitter winter climates elsewhere. Battered by waves from the Atlantic, the east coast of Barbados is popular with surfers, whilst the west and south coasts are full of high-end resorts. If you’re interested in cricket, it might be worth trying to get tickets for a match at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

10. Bahamas

Located in the northern Caribbean within close proximity to Florida, the Bahamas is a chain of 700 islands, uninhabited cays and large rocks covering an area of 13,939 square km. Of the 16 main islands, the capital of Nassau is the most popular and the main port of call for cruise ships. Glamorous Nassau is known for its luxury hotels, casinos, golf courses, restaurants and duty-free shopping and is linked to neighbouring Paradise Island by two bridges. If you want to get away from it all, then consider island hopping in the Out Islands and relax on the secluded beaches of Long Island.

photo by Andre Pipa on flickr

If you are looking for a way to make your trip even more meaningful, and want a wildlife experience that is beyond the traditional Tanzania safari route, then do consider the following unique wildlife encounters that may just become the highlight of your trip.

1. Serengeti Cheetah Project

If you are thinking about a Tanzania safari, then the Serengeti is probably part of your itinerary. Cheetah are well known to migrate from the central to the southern Serengeti annually, and in order to understand more about this beautiful cat, the Serengeti Cheetah Project has been set up to identify the cheetah’s habits and movements. If you would like to be part of this project and learn more about cheetah on your Tanzania safari, you can participate in the project by staying at a camp or lodge affiliated with it, such as Sanctuary Kusini. Guests at this camp can elect to take part in game drives with the specific aim of finding cheetah and identifying them. They can then submit their photographs to the project in order to track the history of each individual cheetah passing through this route throughout its life. Not only are guests able to learn more about the cheetah, they can also find out which cheetah they have seen and know they are helping in the conservation of this elusive cat during their Tanzania safari.

2. Animal Orphanage Education Centre in Nairobi

If you are travelling on a Kenya safari, at some point you will most likely be passing through Nairobi at the start or end of your stay. Despite seeing a wide range of animals in the wild during your stay, one activity that is highly recommended is a visit to the Animal Orphanage Education Centre in Nairobi – either on the way to or from the airport before or after your Kenya safari. This refuge and rehabilitation centre for abandoned or injured animals includes lion, cheetah, hyena, jackal, leopard, ostrich, monkey and more. A visit here allows you to expand your knowledge about the methods of conservation of Kenya safari animals and gives you the opportunity to see some of these animals very close up – with the highlight for many being able to play with the cheetah.

3. Walking with Lions in Zambia or Zimbabwe

If lions captivate you and you would like to see them from the ground rather than a vehicle, consider the ‘Lion Encounter’ experience offered in Zambia or Zimbabwe. This is Africa’s first programme to reintroduce the offspring of rehabilitated captive bred lions back into the wild, securing the opportunity to see lions on an African safari for future generations. Participating in this incredible experience not only gives you a greater understanding of the lion, it also contributes to the project. You are able to walk with two lion cubs as they explore the bush (in the company of a guide) – no leashes nor collars – getting close enough to touch them. A memory to last a lifetime.

1. Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is known for its towering limestone cliffs looming from the water. Tourists come here in droves to see Koh Ta-Pu, otherwise known as James Bond Island, since it featured in the James Bond movie ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’. Tours also take visitors Koh Panyee, a muslim fishing village built entirely on stilts. The Phang Nga Bay Marine National Park is home to many species of mangroves, birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.

2. Old Phuket Town

It’s worth wandering around Phuket Town to absorb the culture and see the interesting combination of colonial and Chinese architecture. Before Phuket became an established tourist destination, the island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and a place where Indian, Arab, Malay, Chinese and Portuguese traders would exchange goods for tin and rubber. This wealth led to the construction of many Sino-Portuguese mansions, which you can still see today. As the largest town in the province, Phuket Town also has a good selection of restaurants and cafes, in addition to some of the island’s best shopping.

3. Boat trips to Phi Phi

For some people, the main reason for visiting Phuket is to take a ferry or boat trip over to the beautiful Phi Phi Islands and experience their stunning natural beauty. With white sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, sheer cliffs and interesting rock formations, the Phi Phi Islands are a laid-back, exotic paradise. Ever since Phi Phi starred in the movies, it has become one the most famous tourist spots in Thailand. There are six islands in the chain, but most tourists visiting the Phi Phi Islands come to see Maya Bay on Phi Phi Ley, which is the iconic spot where ‘The Beach’ was filmed. You can spend the day island hopping and hire a longtail boat to go snorkeling over the coral reefs in the surrounding waters.

4. Waterfalls and Vistas

If you’re looking for something to do away from the beach, there are several waterfalls throughout the island of Phuket. Take a picnic and go for a swim in one of Phuket’s three major cascades- Kathu, Ton Sai and Bang Pae. Ton Sai and Bang Pae are located within Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, which is an area of lush tropical forest.

5. Temples

Phuket island is dotted with 29 colourful Buddhist temples, the most notable of which is Wat Chalong, which attracts thousands of tourists every year. Chalong temple is known as a place of healing and it houses gilt statues of two venerable monks who helped those who were wounded in a tin miners rebellion in 1876. The elaborate temple is decorated in reds and golds with ornate spires, and features a 60-metre high pagoda.

photos by Shelby PDX, jeeheon, IMP1, jeffgunn, Glenn R Carter

So here are 5 fun theme parks you can visit in Orlando besides Disney:

1. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

This African themed park boasts thrilling roller coasters and allows visitors to come face-to-face with exotic wildlife. The latest ride to be added to the list of attractions is the Cheetah Hunt, a launch coaster which makes you experience bursts of acceleration as if you’re moving with Cheetah-like agility and speed! Another highlight is SheiKra, a ride which climbs to a height of 200 feet and hovers over a 90-degree drop, before plunging you face first towards the ground at speeds of more than 70 miles per hour. If rides aren’t really your thing, you can take a jeep ride through bumpy African terrain to spot Rhinos on the Rhino Rally, embark on a walking safari through Edge of Africa to see hippos, lions, hyenas and crocodiles, or peer through the mists of the Myombe Reserve to get a close-up look at gorillas and chimpanzees.

2. Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios in Orlando is an attraction with a movie and television theme, consisting of six areas- Hollywood, Production Central, San Francisco, New York, World Expo and Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone. The theme park brings the movies to life with rides, shows, movie sets and attractions inspired by popular films and TV shows. Universal Studios is also a working production facility and has been used for many major movies, shows, commercials and music videos since it opened its doors on June 7th 1990. Popular themed rides include The Simpsons Ride, The Revenge of the Mummy and E.T Adventure. The most recent ride to be installed at Universal Studios is the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, an adrenaline pumping ride where you get to pick the music you’ll listen to whilst screaming at the top of your lungs as you approach the world’s first non-inverting loop.

3. Universal’s Island of Adventure

Also part of the Universal Orlando Resort, Universal’s Island of Adventure takes you on a journey through six themed islands- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, Toon Lagoon and Marvel Super Hero Island. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter gives you the chance to walk through the corridors of Hogwarts school, and visit the shops of Hogsmeade, including Honeydukes and Ollivanders. You’ll also experience magical rides such as Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.

4. Seaworld

At Seaworld marine park you can experience adrenaline-pumping rides, watch spectacular shows and encounter marine animals such as penguins, beluga whales, dolphins, turtles, polar bears and stingrays. The new Shamu show One Ocean features the park’s family of killer whales performing impressive leaps and tricks. Meanwhile the Manta roller coaster introduces you to an underwater world of rays before getting on a ride that takes you spinning, gliding and soaring like a giant manta ray.

5. Aquatica

Aquatica is a water park from the team behind Seaworld and is full of state-of-the-art rides and ocean animals too. You can race along Roa’s Rapids, meet black and white Commerson’s dolphins and exotic fish down Loggerhead Lane, catch a wave or two at Cutback Cove and Big Surf Shores, or speed down the 300-foot Taumata Racer slide. The signature ride at Aquatica is the Dolphin Plunge, an underwater slide with clear tubes that allows you to whizz past the Commerson’s dolphin habitat.

photos by gordontarpley, renedrivers, Scott Smith (SRisonS), jeffk42 and insidethemagic on flickr

So here are 5 cheap ideas for staying in touch on the road:

1. Prepaid calling cards

International calling cards reduce the costs of your long distance calls. You can buy calling cards online from sites like Enjoyprepaid.com, which provides a choice of calling card plans offering low rates on long-distance calls. Once you’ve purchased the card online, you dial an Access code and then you’ll be prompted to enter the PIN for your calling plan, followed by the telephone number in international format. You can also download the Nobel Dialer app for your Android phone, iPhone or Blackberry so you don’t have to dial access numbers, enter PINs or key in destination numbers. If you have a PC you can use PC-2-Phone to dial any international number directly from your computer at the same low rates as a prepaid calling card.

2. Skype

Skype is a favourite amongst travellers as it allows users to make free Skype-to-Skype calls. You can make free voice calls and video calls, or instant message any of your friends who are logged in to Skype. Its major selling point is the ability to see the person you are talking to, and the fact that you can send and receive images and files. You can also buy Skype credit to call landlines and mobiles at low rates and set up your own online number. Obviously you have to have Wi-Fi to use it and a device that supports Skype, such as a computer with a webcam, or a smart phone. It’s not so great if you’re on the go all the time and you can’t get near a computer and/or Wi-Fi. If you want to make a free call you have to pre-organize a time with your friend so you’re both logged in and available to talk.

 3. Mobile Apps

The mobile app Viber is a great app that you can download for your iPhone or Android phone. If someone else has Viber, you can call or message them for FREE no matter where they are in the world. It’s different to software like Skype because you don’t have to log in to use it, and it’s integrated with your phone book, so it’s just like making an ordinary call except it’s dialled through the app. The downfall is you need to be near Wi-Fi or have 3G reception to make a call and both callers have to have the application installed for it to be free.

4. Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites can be a great way to let all your friends and family keep track of where you are. You can Tweet about your adventures on Twitter and ask your followers for advice on what to visit and where to eat. You can post pictures to Facebook and keep in touch with other travellers you’ve met on the road. Social media is a great way to share photos and video, and arrange to meet up with people again.

5. Postcards

If you’re sick of technology and want to go back to a more traditional form of communication, send a hand written postcard. It’s always nice to receive a postcard from half way across the world, and it has a more personal, thoughtful touch.

viber screenshot by claudia.rahenmetan on flickr

Every time I told a New Yorker that I was going to visit the Statue of Liberty, they admitted they had never actually taken the ferry to Liberty Island. In fact I didn’t meet a single New Yorker who had set foot on the island. I found this quite curious since it’s one of the city’s most famous landmarks, but I guess it is just a touristy thing to do.

Celebrating her 125th year, the Statue of Liberty isn’t just any old statue. Holding a torch in one hand and a tablet inscribed with the date of the American Declaration of Independence in the other, she’s become a symbol of freedom and hope for many people around the world. When immigrants arrived on ships to America, the Statue of Liberty was seen as a welcoming beacon, reassuring them that everything was going to be OK.

The ferry to the Statue of Liberty leaves from Battery Park, which you can get to by taking the subway and getting off at Bowling Green. The Statue Cruises ferry is the only way to get to Liberty & Ellis Islands and the departures in December ran every half hour from 09:30-03:30.

As with most of the landmarks in New York City, you have to pass through airport-style security before you are allowed to board the ferry. Once on-board, I sat on the top deck so I could get a good view of the Statue on our way to the island and since I suffer from motion sickness, I was hoping they would start the engines ASAP. A seagull was perched on the railing and some tourists were trying to feed it and take its picture, which I thought was highly amusing since it looked rather threatening. Having spent half my childhood by the seaside in England, I try my best to avoid the vicious creatures at all cost.

Approaching Liberty Island, I couldn’t decide whether Lady Liberty was smaller or bigger than I thought she’d be. She appeared quite small from the ferry, but then when I was stood at the base of her plinth, she looked enormous.

Unfortunately the Statue of Liberty is closed to the public for a year while it undergoes renovations, so I was unable to go inside, which is a shame since it would have been nice to see the museum exhibits and climb to the top of the pedestal. Instead I walked around the base of Lady Liberty and had my picture taken with her.

The island itself is rather small and takes only a few minutes to walk around, but it’s quite relaxing and if you look across the water there’s a great view of the lower Manhattan skyline.

There are a LOT of seagulls on the island, so watch out if you decide to grab something to eat from the cafe!

Times Square is bright. Really really bright.

And I was drawn to the neon lights of Times Square at night like a moth to a flame.

When I think of New York City there are a few iconic images that spring to mind…the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, the Brooklyn Bridge…but I mainly think of those illuminated signs in Times Square.

Yes it may be ridiculously tacky, but Times Square at night is a great place to people watch and experiment with taking photos. It’s chaotic, it’s hectic and you kind of need sunglasses to go anywhere near it, but those glaring billboards just keep on pulling you in. Walking through Times Square after dark is an assault on the senses and there is so much going on that it’s difficult to know quite where to look!

Apart from the holiday itself, one of the most exciting parts of a breakaway is in the planning. However, the problem is that often when caught up in all the excitement, it is easy to forget to pack all the necessary essentials which could ultimately lead to difficulty during your trip.

Below is a guide to a few of the documents that are usually classified as essential when you travel abroad:

Passport. Check.

The most obvious one (yet some people still forget) is your passport and should you require one depending on your destination, visa. Most countries require you to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the end of your trip. Check out the entry requirements of the country of your visit and make sure you comply with all the significant points.

Tickets. Check.

You won’t be going anywhere without your tickets which should then be accompanied by any reservations. Reaching the airport only to realise you’ve forgotten your tickets are sure to hamper your holiday. Similarly, should you be choosing to use e-tickets, making sure you print off a paper copy is also a wise idea.

Travel Insurance. Check.

Should you be unfortunate enough to suffer an accident or cancellation during your time away, having your travel insurance policies to hand can help being compensated a lot easier. Although you can’t guarantees what may happen during a trip, and it is always better to be prepared. Cancellation of a flight, adverse weather conditions, loss of luggage, medical emergencies, and such others are unseemly events that you can never predict but don’t have to be stressful with the correct cover and documents to hand.

Some people view insurance as an unnecessary added expense, however facing a problem when abroad without adequate insurance coverage would certainly prove to be far more expensive. Insurance doesn’t have to be expensive, a quick search around the web can yield a number of single or annual worldwide travel insurance.

Identification. Check.

Some countries have strict age limits for specific activities so it is often wise to carry documents for identification along with you too as this will help you prove your age should you are required to. This shouldn’t be your passport though and make sure you leave a copy of every original document you were carrying back at home, to avoid problems if you happen to lose any of it.

Credit Cards. Check.

Do not forget the ATM and credit cards too. Carrying an abundance of cash is not a good idea. Your travel insurance would come to use only if you were in some problem within coverage. However, this one essential safeguards you if something unfortunate happens during your trip.